Newcastle United vs Brighton and Hove Albion. Premier League.
St James' Park, Newcastle.
Report as Brighton secure their first Premier League win of the season
Sunday 20 September 2020 18:42, UK
Brighton blew Newcastle away with two goals inside the first seven minutes as Graham Potter's side secured a first Premier League victory of the season with a 3-0 win at St James' Park.
Neal Maupay sent the visitors on their way, making no mistake from the spot in the fourth minute after Allan Saint-Maximin fouled Tariq Lamptey in the penalty area, and the French striker had his second of the game three minutes later after a VAR review overturned an offside decision.
Newcastle failed to register a single effort on goal in the first half but they were handed a golden opportunity to get back into the game midway through the second half, but Callum Wilson failed to hit the target with a free header from eight yards.
Moments later, Brighton went close to a third when Leandro Trossard's long-range strike hit the post, but they did eventually add a third when Aaron Connolly struck with seven minutes remaining to make the game safe.
The only blemish for Potter's side was a late red card for Yves Bissouma, but victory sees Brighton move up to eighth, while Newcastle, who failed to build on their opening-day win at West Ham, drop down to 11th.
Potter's side were ahead within four minutes when Maupay converted from the penalty spot after Saint-Maximin was deemed to have fouled the impressive Lamptey in the penalty area by referee Kevin Friend.
The lead was doubled within three minutes as Maupay turned home Trossard's cross, and although an offside flag went up, the decision was reversed after a VAR review.
Brighton continued to dominate the first half as Bissouma and Trossard fired over from distance and they were almost further ahead just before the break when Lamptey's low drive was kept out by Karl Darlow at his near post.
Newcastle, who had lost Saint-Maximin to injury 12 minutes before the break, failed to land a glove on the visitors after their disastrous opening, failing to land a single shot on target.
Steve Bruce needed to change things at the break and Miguel Almiron replaced Andy Carroll as the hosts looked to find a way back into the game.
And they might have been back in it with 27 minutes remaining when Almiron picked out an unmarked Wilson in front of goal, but he wasted the opportunity; heading over Mat Ryan's crossbar.
Brighton were unfortunate not to extend their lead shortly afterwards when Trossard's long-range strike came back off the post, but Connolly made sure late on with a fine curling finish - only Bissouma's unplanned exit for catching Jamal Lewis in the face with his studs marring their day.
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
"It was the perfect away performance.
"The system helped. They played three at the back and they had the wing backs get in high positions. Lamptey was incredible as well.
"They just looked so comfortable."
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce: "It was a really difficult afternoon for us. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. We've gifted them the first two goals. When you start like that it'll be a difficult afternoon.
"We changed formation at half-time and it helped us slightly, but we couldn't recover from an awful 10 minutes."
"Since I've been here it's like this. We do OK for a while then we throw a hand grenade in. We've got to be better than we were today."
Brighton boss Graham Potter: "I can't think of one [better start]. I'm delighted with the start. It reflects the attitude the players have had all week.
"To keep a clean sheet and score three goals, creating a few more opportunities and limiting our opponents to not much was positive. I'm delighted for the players. It's good to get up and running in the Premier League.
"We have to keep working. This is just one game. The games come thick and fast."
Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole: "We spoke about him before the game and how influential he is for this Brighton team.
"Yes, he's a young boy but Graham Potter trusts him. Everything Brighton did was going through him and he was a constant problem for Newcastle.
"We spoke about him getting the ball and driving at players and having that confidence to dribble. He's making players commit fouls and he was a constant presence and a constant danger for Newcastle."
Sky Sports' Andy Hinchcliffe: "He only played 58 minutes but Lamptey fully deserves the man-of-the-match award. He showed attacking and defensive desire and plenty of quality. I think we are going to be hearing a lot about this young man."
Brighton have won back to back away Premier League games for the first time since November 2017. They have now won three of their last four away Premier League games (D1), as many as in their previous 27 games on the road (W3 D8 L15).
Newcastle have lost three consecutive home Premier League matches for the first time since a run of five between August and October 2018.
Steve Bruce's side failed to attempt a single shot on target in the match, the first time they've failed to have a shot on target in a home Premier League game since December 2018 vs Fulham.
Lewis has ended on the losing side in 12 of his 16 home Premier League games (11 Norwich, 1 Newcastle); among players to play at least 15 home games in the competition, no player has ended on the losing side in a higher proportion than Lewis's 75% (Kevin Kyle also lost 75% of his home games).
Newcastle travel to Morecambe in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday at 7.45pm before heading to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the following Sunday for 2pm Super Sunday clash against Tottenham - live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Brighton travel to Preston in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday at 7pm before welcoming Manchester United on Saturday at 12.30pm.
